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Liddell Officially Retired, Named VP of Business Development

After months of speculation as to whether UFC Hall of Famer and former champion Chuck Liddell would finally retire, “The Iceman” announced today at the UFC 125 pre-fight presser in Las Vegas that he’s hanging up the gloves. The 41 year-old legend will remain as an employee of the UFC, however, as Liddell has been named Vice President of Business Development.

An emotional Liddell called it quits today on a career that saw the former collegiate wrestler not only become one of mixed-martial-arts biggest stars, but one of the sport’s first athletes to become a mainstream, household name.

The feared striker’s rise into MMA superstardom began approximately five, six years ago when after stopping Tito Ortiz at UFC 47, he went on to avenge a previous 2003 loss to Randy Couture, by knocking out the renowned fighter in 2005 and 2006.

Liddell defended the UFC light-heavyweight championship four times before he was knocked out by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 71 in May, 2007. Aside from a memorable decision win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79 in December that same year, Liddell’s career never got back on track, as the former champion lost three consecutive bouts following the win over Silva.

After being stopped by current light-heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in April, 2009, following a KO loss to Rashad Evans in September, 2008, UFC President Dana White called for Liddell to retire. After taking some time off to assess his career, Liddell returned at UFC 115 this past June, but was knocked out by Rich Franklin.